Structural unit



Aug. 1o, 1937.

Filed May 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l ADJ |||-w| .w I VY h\ b .\F I||i|w@ -Lw -MHD L Hmr N\ n@ Imo|\l\. m |llll||ilfl|lllllzl|-||i||\\wm :in XV lq UN .Q .UN li I\p LUNE M24 C V Ss W. C. VOSS STRUCTURAL UNIT Aug. 10, 1937.

Filed May 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1%.,...lllk

Patented Aug. l0, 1937 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to structural units and, more particularly to a iloor, ceiling, roof or wall unit which lends itself readily to mass assembly and which will be strong, durable and rigid.

An important object of the invention is the provision in a construction of this type of an arrangement permittlng the statics of arch construction to be employed as the basic strength of the unit. v

A further and more specic object of the lnventon is the provision of a floor, ceiling, roof or wall unit which provides for the ready incorporation of an arch construction rendering the same very rigid and which is of such form 15 that it may be readily modified to enable its use in the structures requiring the ysupports of loads of considerable magnitude.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a construction of this character of an arrangement suchl that sound-proofing or heat insulation may be readily made a factor of the construction.

These and other objects I attain by the construction illustrated by the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a structural unit constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view 35 showing a modified method of retaining the arch means in its flexed form;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a construction such as shown in Figs. l to 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a slightly modified construction;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section illustrating a preferred construction of wall unit; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a moded unit construction for use in iireproofing.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the unit generally designated at I0 may 50 be made in any suitable size and shape and comprises broadly an arch means I I consisting of one or more flexible and elastic sheets, the ends of which preferably bear against thrust elements I2. The exible and elastic sheet means 55 is retained in its arched form and secured against warping by means of Ilongit'udinally-extending ribs I3 which have form-retaining engagement therewith. Such engagement may be accomplished either by forming the ribs in two sections I3a and I3b, between which a unitary sheet means is fastened or by forming the flexible sheet means in -a plurality of sections IIa, IIb, while constructing the ribs as solid units shown at I3c in Fig. 4. The edges of the sections of the flexible sheet means will have engagement with the ribs preventing their deflection from their normal or desired form, this engagement being at present shown as provided by grooving the sides of the ribs I 3c as at I4 to admit the edges of the sections IIa, IIb. Obviously, the grooves to receive the edges of these sections may be provided by an applied structure if so desired. Where the ribs are formed in a plurality of sections, suitable means is provided for retaining these sections in clamping relation with the flexible sheet means II. An example of this structure is specifically shown in Figs. 2 3, wherein each of the sections I3a, I3b of the ribs is engaged by a saddle I5, the saddle having projecting ears I6 which connect by bolts I'I passing through the flexible sheet means. The arrangement of the ribs I3 is preferably such that these ribs will form longitudinal side walls for the completed unit. The ribs whether of unitary or sectional construction may, if so desired, be lightened by perforating the same as suggested in Fig. 2 at I8.

In Figs. 6 and '7, I have shown a slight modification of the rib structure wherein the rib means comprises simply an overlying member i3d having its under surface properly contoured to engage against the arch and to which the arch is secured as indicated at IIc. With this construction, a straight Stringer S may be employed beneath the -arch and will function to lighten the construction similarly to the perforations suggested in Fig. 6.

The thrust elements I 2, against which the ends of the arch bear, are suitably connected by tension means generally designated at I9. This tension means may comprise either a panel 20, which serves to close the bottom face of the unit or, in event it is desired that the closure for the bottom face of the unit consist of material unsuitable as a tension means, then auxiliary tension means may be provided, as for example wires 2| in Figs. 6 and 7. The ribs I3 may comprise or assist in the formation of the tensioning means, being connected to the thrust elements I2 by shear plates 24 which lare bolted lio or otherwise secured to the ribs and have illanges 2li secured 'to the thrust elements. End walls 22 for the unit may be connected with these thrust elements, these end walls, together with f 5 the upper surface of the ribs, providing seats for a top closure panel 23. It will be obvious that the panels 20, 23, end walls 22 and ribs i3 will combine to provide above and below the trated, includes two oppositely exed sheets lid bearing against identical thrust element I2d. As

shown, duplicate intermediate ribs il'e are employed, separated at their confronting edges by an intermediate panel P. This panel may be omitted if so desired and the ribs Ile formed zo integrally.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a form of iloor or ceiling unit adapted for use in fireproof construction wherein the upper rib has been omitted and a porous illling F substituted therefor. 'I'his 25 lling may be any of the standard light-weight porous lling materials utilized for reproofing purposes.

The construction as illustrated is obviously capable of considerable modification without in any manner departing from the spirit oi.' my invention and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto excepting as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A structural unit comprising a normally ilat ilexible elastic sheet means of structural material capable of taking compressive stresses sprung to form an arch, thrust elements against which the ends of the sheet bear, longitudinallyextending ribs vmaintaining the sheet in `its sprung form and aiording seats for a panel, a

panel secured to said seats, and means to limit separation of the thrust elements.

`2. A Astructural unit comprising a normally .flat flexible elastic sheet means ot structural material capable `oi. taking compressive stresses sprung to form an arch, thrust elements against which the ends of the sheet bear, longitudinallyextending ribs maintaining the sheet in its sprung form and affording seats for a panel, and a panel secured to said seats, said panel comprising a tension element limiting separation of said thrust elements.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribs include upper and lower sections between which the sheet means is clamped.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet means is formed in sections separated by said ribs and the edges of said sections have a form-retaining connection with the ribs.

5. The structure ot claim 1 wherein the ribs have means vlimiting separation of the thrust elements.

' 6. A structural unit comprising a hollow parallelopiped, normally ilat elastic sheet means of structural material capable o! taking compressive stresses flexed to form an arch within the unit and having thrust engagement at its ends with opposed walls thereof, and means within the unit to prevent variation of the arch form and to support the walls of the unit which flatly oppose the arch.

7. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the ribs overlie the arch and have their lower surfaces contoured to nt thereagainst and the arch is secured to the ribs.

8. A structural unit comprising normally ilat flexible elastic sheet means of structural material capable of taking compressive stresses sprung to form oppositely bowed arches, thrust elements against which the ends of these sheets bear, longitudinally-extending ribs maintaining the sheets in their sprung form and affording seats for a panel, and a panel secured to said seats. y H

Y WALTER C. YOSS. 

